
Shutterstock/ Didier Barriere Doleac
Entering and exiting the water safely from a dive boat is a crucial skill that ensures the dive begins and ends without injury. Whether you’re diving from a sleek liveaboard or a compact dayboat, proper technique and awareness are essential to avoid accidents and maintain control over your gear and body. Here’s how to do it right.
Before You Splash
Safety starts before you even suit up. Listen carefully to the predive briefing provided by the boat crew or divemaster. This should cover the entry and exit procedures, emergency signals and any unique boat-specific rules. Pay specific attention to the designated entry points, ladder locations and reboarding procedures. If you have questions, now is the time to ask!
Make sure your BCD is prepped and streamlined. Gas should be on, hoses should be tucked in, straps secured and weights adjusted. Do not forget loose items such as your fins, mask and SMB. Check your buddy’s setup too. A predive safety check should be second nature.
As you approach the dive site, don your equipment (remembering to remove the bungee or rope securing your tank) and listen to instructions from the crew. Some boats may want you to move toward the entry point with your mask and fins on, while others prefer that you don fins closer to the entry point. Regardless, hold onto something and watch your balance as you stand up and move forward.
Related Reading: How Your Fitness Impacts Diving
How to Safely Enter the Water
The best method of entry often depends on the boat and sea conditions. Giant stride entries are suited for larger boats, while back-roll entries are best on small vessels such as RIBs.
» Giant Stride Entry
Stand with your toes at the edge of the dive platform so that your fin blades are off the platform and inflate your BCD. Scan the water below for other divers or obstacles. Hold your mask and reg in place with one hand and secure any loose gear with the other. Look toward the horizon and take a confident step forward. Once in the water, signal “OK” to the crew and clear the entry point.
» Back-Roll Entry
Sit on the edge of the boat with your back to the water, your tank hanging over the edge, and your BCD inflated. Scan the water below for other divers or obstacles. Hold your mask and reg in place with one hand and secure any loose gear with the other. Tuck your chin, lean back and let gravity do the rest! Once in the water, signal “OK” to the crew and clear the entry point.
Related Reading: How to Book a Safe Liveaboard Trip
How to Safely Exit the Water
Getting back on the boat is often the most physically demanding part of the dive—especially in choppy seas or strong currents.
» If Your Boat Has a Ladder
Inflate your BCD when you surface and keep your SMB deployed until the boat arrives. Grab a tow line if available and pull yourself along. Otherwise, swim toward the boat and grab the lines placed along the boat.
Stay away from the propeller and ladder as you wait for others to fully board before approaching. You do not want to have a heavy propeller blade or an off-balance diver landing on you in rough water!
As you wait for your turn to climb the ladder, keep your mask on and reg in. Use this time to store loose items. Once it is your turn to board, climb up slowly using both hands. If you’re carrying extra gear or a camera, hand it up first. Some boats have open “Christmas tree” ladders, which can be used with fins. Otherwise, hand up your fins as well.
» Exiting Without a Ladder
RIBs are often not equipped with ladders. In this case: Take off and hand your gear to the crew from the water. Secure any small items and keep your fins and mask on. As the RIB falls with the wave, push yourself slightly underwater, allowing you to use buoyancy to generate upward momentum. As the RIB rises, hold onto the side and let it pull you up. As the RIB falls once more, pull yourself up over the side.
Mastering safe entries and exits from dive boats isn’t just about technique—it’s about being aware of your environment, your equipment and your fellow divers. Practice makes perfect, and when in doubt, ask for help!